Elevator system



Jan. 8, 1924.

' a. R. ZORN ELEVATOR SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet l 1,480,331 G. R. ZORN ELEVATOR SYSTEM Filed Dec. 20, 1.922 3 Sheets Sheet 2 Jan. 8 1924.

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Jan. 8 1924.

- G. R. ZORN ELEVATOR SYSTEM Filed Dec.

20 1922 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I Erearga R Zm-J'z Patented Jan. 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE R. ZORN, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 GENERAL ELEVATOR COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

ELEVATOR SYSTEM.

Application filed December 20, 1922. Serial No. 608,016.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE R. ZoRN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevator Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in elevator systems, and more particularly to improvements in the motor controlling switch of the system whereby an automatic switch is positively held in a neutral position by coaction with a peculiarly formed cam.

To those familiar with the art, that type of switch often employed with automatic elevators and in which a switch blade coacting with a pair of spaced contacts is provided, the switch blade being carried by the well and actuated by an abutment member carried by the car, in this type of switch, as regards those switches with which I am familiar, the abutment member has what might be termed a short engagement with the switch for shifting the blade thereof with a result that the blade is shifted to one side or the other of its center immediately upon engagement of the abutment member or through a very restricted travel of the abutment member. Since the average elevator car during its travel in a well and after the current has been cut off from the motor by means of which it is controlled will drift for adistance dependent upon its speed, this abrupt cut off has been found very inefficient, permitting the elevator to move past the floor with a result that the floor of the elevator is improperly aligned. In order to overcome this, in some instances two switches have been provided at each floor, each spaced from the floor a distance approximating the distance of drift of the elevator, but such an arrangement is not only costly to install but doubles the probability of trouble with wiring connections, contacts and the like.

An important object of this invention is accordingly to provide a single abutment means for operating the switch by means of which the switch may be held in the cut out or neutral position for a desired period of to provide a device of this character which may be adjusted to compensate for the difference in distance of drift when the elevator is being raised and lowered.

These and other objects I attain bythe construction and arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a cam constructed in accordance with my invention showing the various positions assumed by the switch during passage of the cam;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the switch, the cover plate of the housing being removed;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on theline 4:--4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken through the cam; and

Figure 7 is a wiring diagram illustrating the use of the switch in the circuit. L

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a switch casing in which adjacent opposite ends thereof are arranged supports 11 and 12 formed of insulating material and each hav ing mounted thereon a pair of spaced contacts 13 and 14. The casing is provided centrally of one side wall thereof with guides in which is mounted a shaft 15 to the upper end of which is secured an L-shaped member 16 which is disposed exteriorly of the casing and which has upon the ends of the arms thereof rollers or wheels 17, the arms in the present instance being shown as spaced through an angle of 90. To this shaft is likewise secured a switch arm 16 embodying a central blade 19 and a pair of auxiliary blades 20, each of the blades 19 and being formed of resilient material and electrically connectedwith the shaft 15.

lVhen the shalt 15 is in position with one oi the arms ot the member 16 directed longitudinally of the casing; and the other one at right angles thereto one of the blades 20 and the blade 19 will be in engagement with the contacts 14-. and 13 of one or the plates 12. The blades 20 are normally curved 0utwardly from the blade 19 but when in full engaged position as forth above, the blade 20 is straightened by such engagement and the blade 19 is slightly bent. This results in a very firm contact and in the blades 19 and 20 having a sliding engagement with the contacts 18 and 11 insuring that these contacts and the blades at the points of eontact will be kept clean at all times. This also prevents improper engagement of the blades and contacts during; such slight movement of: the member 16 as will result from the Vil 1f?.l )1l to which the building in which the elevator is situated is subjected. All switches of this type are subjected to considerable vibration due to the fact that heavily loaded elevators when starting and stopping always impart more or less of a jar to the wells in which they are located. It will be seen that a slight movement of the member 16 may be had without disengaging the blades 19 and 20 from their contacts. It will also be seen and here reference is had to the succession of diagrammatic views in Figure 1, that a slight additional movement of the member 16 will result in the blade 19 being separated from its contact 13 while the blade :20 remains in engagement with its contact during a considerable period after the removal 0% the blade 19 from its contact. 11 subsequent movement of the member 16 will result in the blade 20 being withdrawn trom its contact so; that neither the blades 20 or the blade 19 is in contact with any of the contacts 13 or 14C and the switch is in a neutral position. It will also be noted that relatively speaking the neutral position pro vided is ot considenible size. permitting a considerable movement of the member 16 before the other of the blades 20 comes in contact with its contact 14. The purpose of this construction will presently appear.

in the use of this. construction it is desired that the neutral movement of the switch blades shall be entirely negative. In. other words, that such movement shall be against nast est resistance so that upon release of the member 16 and accordingly the blades 19 and 20, they will be moved into engagement with one or the other of the pairs of contacts 13 and 1e. F or this reason, I provide upon the shaft 15 a cam 21 and a structure having a head p "essing against this cam and directed transversely ot the casing at the center thereof. The peak of the cam 21 aligns with the head when the member'lb is midway between its set positions. The head 22 termed upon a shaft 26 mounted in a bearing 24 and a wall of the casing for reciprocatory movement. Extending transversely oi the shaft between the wall and bearing is a pin 25 which is adapted to be engaged in the castellations of a castellated sleeve 26. These castellations are of ditferent depths as regards each pair so that adjustment of the heel of the sleeve 26 toward or away from the wall of the cas ing is afforded. Between the wall of the ca ing and the heel of the sleeve 26 a compres' sion spring 27 is mounted, tending): to force the head toward the shaft 15. It will be seen that an engagement oi the head with the cam 21 will cause movement of the inember 16 toward the set position at that side of the peak of the cam and it will likewise be seen that the amount of force employed to move the member 16 is adjustable through the sleeve 26.

In conjunction with a switch of this type secured to the well I employ a car car ied cam 26 comprising a central body portion 29 adapted to eng. roller 17 of the member 16 and move the member to such position that both the blades 19 and 20 are disengaged from their contacts 13 and 1-1 but 0t insuthcient height to force the member 16 beyond that central position or to a po nt where the head 22 will act to force the men'iber 16 into engagement with the other pair 0'! contacts 13 and 1 1. This body portion is provided centrally with a hump or lllf..l(0i*@1' 30 for shifting the member 16 beyond such central point and has at its ends reduced portions 31 which while of insutlieient size to disengage the blades 20 from the contacts 1 1- are or" suliicient size to move the member 16 to cause disengagement of the blade 19 from its contact 13. The ends of the portions 31 may be provided with attaching: portions 3:2 by means of which the cam may be secured to the car C. These portions of the body por tion 29 lying above and below the hump 30 are adjustable as to length. in the present instance being shown as having intermediate portions 33 which may be removed and replaced by shorter or longer sections as desir-d. The reduced sections 31 are likewise provided with such intermediate portions 33 for this purpose So that the length of any section 01 the cam may be increased as desired.

In Figure 7 l have shown the switch and cam employed in a system, a single floor switch being shown, though of course it will be readily understood that aswitch of this character may be employed at all intermediate floors or as a limit switch when so desired. In the system shown the nuicral 34 designates the starter switch, 35 and 36 direction switches, 37 the motor switch and 38 the motor field, all of these elements being of the usual construction and forming no part of my invention except as employed in the circuit. The motor field 38 is connected across by positive and negative lead wires L and L and has in series therewith a resistance 39 normally bypassed by the blade 40 of an electromagnetic switch to render the same inoperative. The shaft 15 of the floor switch is electrically connected by wire 41 with the positive lead wire L The contacts 13 are connected across a common wire 42 leading through the field of the electromagnetic switch 40 and connecting with an extra contact 43 provided upon the starter switch 34 and electrically connected with the blade 44 thereof when the starter switch is in the full on position. This blade of the starter switch is connected with the lead wire L as shown. The contacts 14 are each connected through a direction switch 35 or 36 with one terminal of a push button 45., the opposite terminals of these push buttons being connected with the lead L Assuming the switch to be in the position shown in the diagrammatic figure above referred to and. which position it assumes when the car C is thereabove, upon engagement of the down button to complete the circuit thereof, current flows from lead wire L to the shaft 15 through blade 20 and the operating field of switch 35 and push button 45 back to the lead wire L closing the switch 35. At the same time current is flowing from the lead wire L through the motor field 38 and switch blade 4-0 to the lead wire L the field being covered. Upon the-closing of the switch 35, current flows through wire 41, one side of switch the armature 37, the opposite side of the switch 35 and starter switch 34 back to the wire L energizing the armature and starting the motor. As the speed of the motor increases, the blade 44 moving acres-is its rheosta-t and reaching its stopping point. causes an electrical connection between the lead wire L and the contact 43 with the result that current flows from the lead wire L through the shaft 15, blade 19, contact 13, wire 42 and contact 43 back to the lead wire L energizing the field of the electromagnetic switch 40 and causing the blade thereof to be withdrawn from its contacts, thereby placing the resistance 39 in series with the motor field to increase the speed of the motor. Upon engagement of the lower reduced portion of the cam 28 with the roller 17 of the outstanding arm of the member 16, the member 16 is shifted to separate the blade 19 from the contact 13, breaking the circuit through the electromagnetic switch 40 and thereby removing the resistance 39 from the motor field, decreasing the speed of the motor and resulting in a slow down thereof. Continued downward motion of the elevator causes the wheel 17 of the arm to ride upon the lower portion of the body 29 with a result that the blade 20 is separated from the contact 14 and the circuit of the motor is broken, resulting in stopping of the elevator by the usual means (not herein shown). As clearly shown in the diagrammatic view in Figure 1, when one of the wheels 17 is engaged with the body 29, the other thereof is spaced from the body a sufiicient distance to clear the peak or hump of the cam and permits passage thereof when this hump engages with the wheel 17 which has been in engagement with the body 29, the member 16 is swung to a position where the cam passes the central point with the result that the cam brings pressure to bear'to swing the member 16 in the direction of its movement and bring the other of the wheels 17 into engagement with the upper section of the body 29. It will be noted that when in engagement with this upper section the blades of the switch are still withheld from contact. Upon continued movement, the roller 17 passing from the body to the reduced portion 31 brings the other of the blades 20 into engagement with its contact 14 and the roller subsequently passing from the cam allows the blade 19 to engage the member 16 to assume a position to be actuated by the elevator during its upward movement.

From the foregoing it is believed to be obvious that by use of a switch and cam constructed in accordance with my invention, the blades of the switch are positively held from contact for any desired period of time and furthermore a desired period of 'slow down may be obtained if the same is desired. In this conjunction it is pointed out that the ordinary means for actuating a slow down is eliminated, the entire operation being accomplished by means of a single switch and actuating cam therefor. It will furthermore be obvious that both the switch and cam are capable of a considerable range of change and structural details without in any manner departing from the spirit of my invention and. that likewise changes may be made in the system in which the combination of switch and cam is employed. 1, therefore, do not limit myself to the specific construction or arrangement hereinbefore set forth except as hereinafter claimed.

ll claim 2 1. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying; an oscillatory blade spaced contacts adapted for alternate engagement by said blade, and automatic means for shifting the blade toward that contactnearcst which it is disposed, of means carried by the elevator operatively engaging the blade to shi'tt the same "from one contact to a point intermediate said contacts, hold the same in such position during a predetermined period of elevator travel and during sch travel shifting the blade to a point no st the other contact.

2. 'llhe combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying a main blade and pair of auxiliary blades 1 aim at spaced contacts adapted for alter; e engagement by said main blade and at said auxils iary blades or said main blade and the other of said auxiliary blades, said auxiliary blades remaining in engagement with their auxiliary contacts subsequently to the di engagement of the main blade from the associated contact of the pair of means carried by the elevator and operatively eng e;- ing saio switch to shift the blades thereof initially to a point disengaging the main blade from its contacted blade and main taining the engaged auxiliary blade in engagement. and subsequently shifting; the same to disengage the auxiliary blade and move all of said blades to a point out oi engaeement with their contacts and positively hold the same in such position during a desired period oi. elevator travel.

3. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodyingan oscillatory blade. spaced contacts adapted tor alternate engagement by said blade, and means coactin with the blade when the same is at either side of a given point intermediate said contactstor urging; the blade toward the contact the same side of said intermediate point, of means carried by the elevator operatively engaging; the alade to shift the same initially to c point intermediate the contact with which was cmragnd and said intermediate point an subsequently to a point beyond. such ins. mediate point from the cents-rot with which it was engaged.

l. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the wall embodying an oscillatory blade, soaced contacts a plied for alternate engagement by said blade, and means coactinn; with the blade when the same is at either side of a given point intermediate n T (LU ate the contact with which it was engaged and said intermediate point and subsequently to a point beyond such intermediate point from the contact with which it was engaged, and to hold said blade at such points during a desired period of elevator travel.

5. The combination with an elevator well a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying a main blade and a pair of auxiliary blades, pairs of spaced contacts adapted for alternate engagement by said main blade and one of? said auxiliary blades or said main blade and the other of said auxiliary blades, said auxiliary blades remaining in engagement with their contacts subsequently to the disengagement of the main blade from the associated contact of the pair, of a car carried cam having a body portion opeij'atively engaging said switch to shift the blades thereof to a point where they disengage from their contacts and upon its ends with portions adapted to operatively engage the switch to shift the blades to position disengaging the main blade from its engaged contact and maintaining the auxiliary blade in engagement with its engaged contact, said body portion being adustable as to length.

6. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying a main blade and a pair of auxiliary blades, pairs of spaced contacts adapted for alternate engagement by said main blade and one of said auxiliary blades or said main blade and the other of said auxiliary blades said auxiliary blades remaining in engagement with their contacts subsequently to the disengagement oi the main blade "from the associated contact of the pair, of a car carried cam having; a body portion operatively engaging said switch to shift the blades thereof to a point where they disengage from their contacts and upon its ends with portions adapted to operatively engage the switch to shift the blades to a position disengaging the main blade "from its engaged contact and maintaining the auxiliary blade in engagement with its engaged contact said body portion and said end portions being adjustable as to length.

The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying an oscillatory blade, spaced contacts for alternate engagement by'said blade and means coacting with the blade when the blade,--is at one side of a given point intermediate said contacts for urging the blade toward the contact at the same side of said intermediate point, of an elevator carried cam operatively engaging the blade with its body portion to shift the same to a point intermediate the contact with which it was engaged and sa1d 1ntermediate point. said body portion being adjustable as to length.

8. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying an oscillatory blade, spaced contacts for alternate engagement by said blade, and means coacting with the blade when the blade is at one side of a given point intermediate said contacts for urging the blade toward the contact at the same side of said intermediate point, of an elevator carried cam operatively engaging the blade to shift the same having a body portion shifting the blade to a point intermedlate the contact with which it was engaged and said intermediate point and provided intermediate its ends with a portion slnftingthe blade to a point beyond such intermediate point from the cont-act with which it was engaged, said body portion being ad1ustable as to length.

9. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying an oscillatory blade, spaced contacts for alternate engagement by said blade, and means coacting with the blade when the blade is at one side of a given point intermediate said contacts for urging the blade toward the contact at the same side of said intermediate point, of an elevator carried cam operatively engaging the blade to shift the same having a body portion shifting the blade to a point intermediate the contact with which it wa engaged and said intermediate point and provided intermediate its ends with a portion shifting the blade to a point beyond such intermediate point from the contact with which it was engaged, said body portion at opposite ends of such intermediate portion being adjustable as to length.

10, The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying a main blade and a pair of auxiliary blades, pairs of spaced contacts adapted for alternate engagement by said main blade and one of said auxiliary blades or said main blade and the other of said auxiliary blades, said auxiliary blades remaining in engagement with their auxiliary contacts subsequently to the disengagement of the main blade from the associated contact of the pair, of means carried by the elevator and operatively engaging said switch to shift the blades thereof initially to a point disengaging the main blade from its contacted blade and maintaining the engaged auxiliary blade in engagement, and subsequently shifting the same to disengage the auxiliary blade and move all of said blades to a point out of engagement with their contacts and positively hold the same in such position during a desired period of elevator travel, and means operating during engagement of an auxiliary blade with its contact and disengagement of the main blade from its contacts to effect a slow down of the motor.

11. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying an oscillatory blade, spaced contacts adapted for alternate engagement by said blade, and means coacting with the blade when. the same is at either side of a given point intermediate said cont-acts for urging the blade toward the contact at the same side of said intermediate point, of means carried by the elevator operatively engaging the blade to shift the same to a point intermediate the contact with which it was engaged and said intermediate point in two separate steps, the initial step of such shifting effecting a slow down of the motor.

12. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying an oscillatory blade, spaced contacts adapted for alternate engagement by said blade, and means coactingwith the blade when the same is at one side of a given point intermediate said contacts for urging the blade toward the contact at the same side of said intermediate point, of means carried by the elevator operatively engaging the blade to shift the same to a point lntermediate the contact with which it was engaged and said intermediate point in two separate steps, the initial step of such shifting effecting a slow down of the motor, and. means for varying the duration of such initial step.

13. The combination with an elevator well, a motor driven elevator within the well and a control switch for the motor mounted upon the well embodying a main, blade and a pair of auxiliary blades, pairs of spaced contacts adapted for alternate engagement by said main blade and one of said auxiliary blades or said main blade and the other of said auxiliary blades, said auxiliary blades remaining in engagement with their auxil iary contacts subsequently to the disen gagement of the main blade from the associated contact of the pair, of means carried by the elevator and operatively engaging said switch to shift the blades thereof initially to a point disengaging the main blade from its contacted blade and maintaining the engaged auxiliary blade in engegement, and subsequently shifting the same to disengage the auxiliary blade and move all of said blades to a point out of en gagement with their contacts: and positively 5 hold the same in such position during a, clesired period of elevator travel, said means being adjustable to vary the length of elevator travel through which said main and auxiliary blades are maintained in any of such positions. 10

In testimony whereof I atfix my signature.

GEORGE E. ZORN. 

